Ingot mold splash bowl



Oct. 23, 1951 w. R. PATTERSON INGOT MOLD SPLASH BOWL Filed Feb. 28, 1949Patented Oct. 23, 1951 INGOT MOLD SPLASH BOWL William R. Patterson, LosAngeles, Calif., assignor to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 28, 1949, SerialNo. 78,777

(on. zz 14a 6 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of metal ingots.

Big end up ingots which are poured from the top are commonly subject tosurface defects caused by splashing of the stream of molten metal fromthe bottom of the mold at the beginning of the pouring operation. Thesplashing metal which strikes the relatively cold side walls of the moldresults in formation of solidified platelike masses which may adhere tothe mold. The stream of hot metal from the nozzle of the pouring ladlefalls a considerable distance. particularly in the case of tall ingotmolds. The molten metal strikes the bottom of the mold with considerableforce and a very strong splash may result if the molten metal streamimpinges on a surface normal to the direction of the stream. As thepouring continues and as the level of the molten metal rises in themold, the frozen platelike masses are covered by molten metal and maypartially fuse into the liquid mass. These partially fused masses arepoorly bonded and become what is commonly known as scabs. These giveappreciable trouble in the production of forged or rolled products madefrom such an imperfect ingot. Furthermore, these chilled masses of metalmay not adhere to the mold walls but may detach themselves and locate inthe body of the ingot and thus adversely aflect the quality of theingot.

Surface scabs and internal defects of this character are found in toppoured ingots made in either closed bottom molds or open bottom molds,but the most serious trouble is encounteredwith the open bottom moldssince the shape of the bottom is generally made substantially flat. Itis customary to place the bottom of the open bottom mold on asubstantially flat plate known in the art as a stool plate. This surfaceis normal to the molten stream of metal as it enters the mold, and hencehighly undesirable vigorous splashing occurs.

It is the principal object of my invention to minimize the splashing ofmolten metal as it is initially poured into the upper end of eitherclosed bottom or open bottom molds.

Another object is to provide a splash bowl for an ingot mold providedwith means for absorbing the kinetic energy of the stream of moltenmetal Other detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing a preferred embodiment of myinvention as applied to an open bottom ingot mold of the type producingbig end up ingots.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 2-:as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view 01' a splash bowl employed in connectionwith my invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 4-4as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side elevation partly in vertical section illustrating anembodiment of my invention in connection with a closed bottom ingotmold.

Referring to the drawings, the ingot mold I0 is of the open bottom typeand the molten stream of metal is poured into the upper end from anysuitable ladle (not shown). The central opening II in the mold l0 may benonclrcular as shown clearly in Figure 2 in order to produce a flutedingot. This central opening is tapered for a major portion of the heightof the mold I0 so that the I cross-sectional size of the opening issmaller near the bottom of the mold Ill.

The mold I0 is adapted to rest on a stool plate I! having a centralopening l3. The upper end of this opening I 3 may be flared to receivethe conical periphery ll of the splash bowl II. The opening in the lowerend of the ingot mold I0 is constricted as shown at l6 so that theextreme lower end of the opening is substantially in alignment with theupper end of the opening l3 in the stool plate I2. The splash bowl II isprovided with a central cavity l1, forming a continuation of the openingII in the ingot mold III. A plurality of vertical spikes l8 formedintegrally with the bottom 22 of the splash bowl I! extend upwardly intothe cavity ll. When the molten stream of metal is poured into theopening II the stream falls vertically into the cavity II. The vigoroussplashing which would normally occur on a flat horizontal surface doesnot take place and the energy of the stream is dissipated as it boundsand rebounds among the vertical spikes ID. A pool of molten metal isthus formed in the cavity I7 and in the lower end of the central openingll without any objectionable splashing of molten metal upwardly onto thesides I 9 of the opening II in the ingot mold ll. Once this cushioningpool has been formed the function of the spikes II has beenaccomplished. and thereafter the molten pool prevents any serioussplashing upwardly onto the relatively cold walls of the mold.

The spikes it may fuse into the molten metal as it solidifies and thesplash bowl I! may become attached to the small end of the solidifiedingot. This does not, however, present any problem because the small andof the ingot is cropped oil. in the region of the restricted throat it.While a new splash bowl is normally required for each ingot poured intothe mold, this relatively small additional cost is more than offset bythe savings in surface chipping and conditioning of the ingot prior torolling or forging. Furthermore, the internal quality of the ingot metalis superior because of the freedom from partially fused splash 'metalwhich may have adhered initially to the mold walls but later becomedetached and located within the body of the ingot.

The ingot mold l and splash plate I! may be provided with the usual lugs20 for handling.

The embodiment of my invention shown in Figure utilizes a splash bowl 30which is substantially the same as that described in the previousembodiment. The splash bowl 30 is mounted directly in the taperedopening 3i formed in the bottom of the closed bottom ingot mold 32. Inthis embodiment no stool plate is employed. The action of the spikes 33on the splash bowl 30 is substantially the same as that described above.In either case the energy of the molten metal stream is diffused and aminimum of splashing occurs whether the stream falls directly into thecenter of the splash bowl or somewhat off-center.

While it is not essential that the spikes be parallel in order toaccomplish the benefits of my invention, nevertheless, I prefer to formthem in parallel relationship for ease of manufacture. The spikes l8 maybe conveniently cast integrally with the walls and bottom of the bowli5.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising an upright mold havinga central opening to receive a stream of molten metal, and a splashminimizing bowl member forming the lower end of the mold having aplurality of integral upwardly extending spikes adapted to diffuse theenergy of the molten stream falling thereon to minimize splashing ofmetal upwardly against the sides of the mold opening.

2. A combined splash bowl and bottom plug for an ingot mold, the bowlhaving walls and an integral fioor defining an upwardly opening cavity,the walls and floor being sufllciently massive to withstand pressure ofliquid metal in the mold, and a cluster of spikes formed integrally withthe 4 central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream ofmolten metal, a splash bowl insertable through the mold opening to formaplug at the bottom thereof. the splash bowl having walls and a fioorformed integrally therewith to define an upwardly opening cavity, and aplurality of spikes fixed on the floor and extending upwardly into thecavity.

4. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising an upright mold havinga central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream of floorand extending upwardly into the said cavity. go

3. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising in combination anupright mold having a molten metal, a stool plate supporting the moldand provided with a central aperture, a massive splash bowl resting onthe stool plate in said aperture and forming the lower end of the moldopening, the splash bowl having walls and a floor formed integrallytherewith to define an upwardly opening cavity, and a plurality ofspikes fixed on the floor and extending upwardly into the cavity.

5. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising an upright mold havinga central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream of moltenmetal, a stool plate supporting the mold and provided with a centraltapered aperture, a massive splash bowl having externally tapered wallsreceived in said aperture, the bowl also having a floor integrallyjoining the walls, and a plurality of spikes extending upwardly from thefloor of the bowl.

6. In an apparatus for casting metal ingots, including an upright moldhaving a central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream ofmolten metal, and a stool plate supporting the mold and provided with acentral aperture having tapered walls, the improvement comprising: amassive splash bowl having a tapered external surface adapated to fitwithin said tapered walls, the splash bowl forming the lower end of themold opening, the splash bowl having walls and a floor formed integrallytherewith to define an outwardly opening cavity, and a plurality ofspikes fixed on the floor and extending upwardly into the cavity.

WILLIAM R. PATTERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

